Tama County, Iowa

Tama County, Iowa
Tama County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,135. Its county seat is Toledo. The county was formed on February 17, 1843 and named for Taimah, a leader of the Meskwaki Indians.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.1%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 30
U.S. Highway 63
Iowa Highway 8
Iowa Highway 21
Iowa Highway 96
Iowa Highway 146
Adjacent counties
Grundy County (northwest)
Black Hawk County (northeast)
Benton County (east)
Poweshiek County (south)
Marshall County (west)
Iowa County (southeast)
Jasper County (southwest)
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 17,135 in the county, with a population density of . 93.80% of the population reported being of one race. There were 7,575 housing units, of which 6,784 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,767 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,766 housing units, of which 6,947 were occupied.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,767 people, 7,018 households, and 4,968 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 7,583 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 90.38% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 6.09% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 3.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,018 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,419, and the median income for a family was $43,646. Males had a median income of $30,723 versus $22,597 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,097. About 7.60% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
Education
School districts include:
Belle Plaine Community School District
Benton Community School District
East Marshall Community School District
GMG Community School District
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District
Grundy Center Community School District
North Tama County Community School District
South Tama County Community School District
Union Community School District
There is also a Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-affiliated tribal school, Meskwaki Settlement School.
The largest of which is South Tama Community School District, at the 3A designation. Second largest is North Tama Community Schools. Lastly both GMG and Meskwaki Settlement School with an eight-man designation.
Communities
Cities
Chelsea
Clutier
Dysart
Elberon
Garwin
Gladbrook
Le Grand
Lincoln
Montour
Tama
Toledo
Traer
Vining
Unincorporated communities
Buckingham
Long Point
Meskwaki Settlement
Townships
Tama County is divided into twenty-one townships:
Buckingham
Carlton
Carroll
Clark
Columbia
Crystal
Geneseo
Grant
Highland
Howard
Indian Village
Lincoln
Oneida
Otter Creek
Perry
Richland
Salt Creek
Spring Creek
Tama
Toledo
York
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Tama County.
† county seat
Notable people
George R. Struble (1836–1918). Iowa judge and politician from Toledo. Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, 1881–1883. Ardent prohibitionist. Brother of John T. Struble of Johnson County, and Congressman Isaac S. Struble of Plymouth County. Biography in the Journal of the House, memorial resolution of 3/23/1921.
Michael Emerson, born in Cedar Rapids and raised in Toledo, Emerson has been on Broadway and appeared on Lost.
Clifford Berry (1918-1963), born in Gladbrook, was a graduate student at Iowa State when he and John Vincent Atanasoff created the Atanasoff–Berry Computer (ABC), the first digital electronic computer, in 1939.
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Tama County, Iowa
References
External links
IAGenWeb History, Biographies, Records and more
Iowa placenames of Native American origin
1843 establishments in Iowa Territory
Populated places established in 1843